The cantina was a dive, but not in the usual sense. It was a bar and restaurant built along the central power and air shaft of one of Nar Shaddaa's vertical cities, a place where the avianoids on the moon could fly in and enjoy a drink or meal on the large open air balcony or on one of the many nearby perches. Long ago the avianoid species had learned they could use the towering city's ventilation system to move from level to level, bypassing the congested lift system. It didn’t take long for an enterprising entrepreneur to add a shaft entrance to his shop, in an effort to attract more business. Years later, “The Shaft”, as it had become known, was a bustle of activity, as were the businesses that lined it.

Sitting at one of the tables on the cantina’s balcony was a rather attractive young woman, nursing a pint of lomin ale as she watched the hustle and bustle of beings and droids maneuvering in the uncontrolled airspace above her. The gold and grey armor she wore was battered and worn, and bore the distinctive markings and T-shaped visor of a Mandalorian warrior. Her helmet rested on the table beside her, revealing short locks of dark curls and surprisingly soft features. The juxtaposition of her understated beauty and battle worn armor bristling with weapons drew more than a few sidelong glances from the cantina’s other patrons. A check of the chrono in her left wrist gaunt prompted her to rise and gather her helmet and beverage, and make her way inside.

“I think I’ve finally found the break we’ve been looking for,” the raven haired mercenary said as she slid into a booth across from a rather large saurian that strongly resembled a dragon out of a child’s nursery rhyme. The saurian was a mercenary himself, and on-and-off partner to the woman who had taken up residence in the seat across from him. “So you said in your message, Alika,” he replied gruffly, taking a pull from his large mug of sickly sweet smelling liquid that strongly resembled engine coolant.

“I’m serious this time, Harm,” Alike replied with a scowl. “I was contacted via back channels by a senator…sorry, former senator from Chandrila. A Mon Mothma…”

“A Rebel!?!” Harm hissed softly, glancing warily around the room, “We agreed we weren’t going to get involved, with either side…”

Alika’s expression hardened. “I don’t know about you, but I have a ship that needs fuel and supplies, and a strong need to eat sometime in the next month. In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s not a lot of jobs for beings like us that doesn’t involve some type of crime. What do you want to do, go back to farming on Mandalore?” The question earned her a very nasty scowl. “I didn’t think so. Look, neither one of us has any love for the Empire. If we’re going to break the law, we might as well do something that’s both profitable and benefits the Rebel cause. The enemy of our enemy is our friend, right?”

Harm grunted after a moment's thought, “I can’t argue with any particular point. What did your contact offer?”

“Don’t worry,” Alika reassured him, “She doesn’t want us to join the Alliance. Just to give the Empire something else to think about for a while.”

Harm raised a boney eyebrow, “Like what, piracy?”

“Think of it more like privateering.”

“What’s the pay?”

“Whatever we can steal, cheat, pilfer, swindle, or otherwise commandeer. When there’s a specific military target, they’ll provide intelligence and whatever assets are available.” Alika smiled, “And credits. Lots of credits. They’re offering a bounty on all military hardware we can destroy, divert, or disable.”

Downing the rest of his drink in one giant gulp, Harm grinned. “Shiny, let’s be bad guys.”

Finn Varden needed a drink. The life of an itinerant engineer for hire had its ups and downs. The last job had been... interesting... He hadn't worked with a Wookie before. Nice guy. Knew his ship inside out. The modifications he'd helped him with would certainly give them a useful edge on speed. He hadn't asked why a little tramp freighter needed it. He wasn't being paid to ask questions.

This was the world he lived in now.

It had all been so much simpler back in the day. The Varden family had shipped spices (usually) between Alderaan and the outer colonies. Until one day they came back to find Alderaan gone.

With only the minor planets to trade with, the rich clients gone, the business model was completely undermined. The family had decisions to make. Some wanted to carry on, but switch to... less legal cargoes. Others wanted to quit the business altogether. Or join the Rebellion. But there were the kids to think of – mouths to feed. So never mind the romance, first and foremost was money.

Rixar Seer was sitting in a darkened corner of the The Shaft trying to forget about the accident from his past. His latest job had gone awry and hit to close to home for comfort. He didn't understand why people who feared for their lives, and the lives of loved ones, always chose to ignore his advice. It sometimes ended up with the loss of a loved one.

Sighing, he took the last swig of the concoction in his cup and set it back down on the table. Unfortunately he hadn't made enough money after the mishap on the last job, so he couldn't drink as much as he would have wanted, or needed, in order to forget.

Scanning the room, his mind started processing the tactical advantages he'd have in a close quarters fight if one broke out, as they sometimes did in establishments such as these.

He patted the holster on his hip to ensure his pistol was accessible and rested one hand on the shotgun across his lap. It made him feel slightly better knowing where his weapons where.

Making up his mind, he decided that it was time to leave this joint and find a paying job so he could afford another round.

Marius looked up from his bed aboard the Alliance Hospital Ship he was transferred to after getting serious injured in the preparations for the Battle of Yavin as it quickly became known.

“Captain Luce?” a female voice asked as an influential looking and dressed woman entered his room.

“Your Excellency,” HE said on seeing the Commander in Chief of the Alliance entering his room herself. “What brings you here.”

“I bring you two things Captain Luce. First of all is a special order from the top restoring you to Flight Status for a special assignment.”“Aye, Your Excellency,” Marius said. “You are aware of course Ma’am that I was taken off of flight status due to this,” Marius asked her indicating his eyepatch.

“The Alliance Medical Officer did inform me of that fact but seeing as how your orders require you to Fly to Nar Shadaa to locate a deliver a very important document to a Mercenary Captain known as ALika Reau.”

“Nar Shadaa Your Excellency. Argh that be in orbit of Nal Hutta in other words in Hutt Space. Why not send that scoundrel Solo that assisted the Skywalker kid with destroying the Emperors pea shooter.”

“For one thing Captain Luce Han Solo has a price on his hand from one of the Hutts so sending him into Hutt Space would basically mean handing him over to Hutts. Delivering the letter of Marque to Captain Reau is merely part of your assignment.”

“And what would be the rest of my assignment assuming I don’t get killed in the process.”

“You Captain will officially be serving as a liaison officer between my headquarters and Captain Reau. Any assignments and so forth that My office has for Captain Reau and her group will go through you.”

“I see your excellency. I’m guessing this is a big part of the reason you choce me for this assignment?” MArius asked her incdicating once again his eye patch

“In a word Captain Luce Yes,” Mon Montha replied. “Now suit up and prepare for depature. Oh and don’t forget to take this with you,” She said handing him the letter of Marque he was to deliver.

"What's wrong with my freighter?" she shot back, "It's big enough to haul your blastboat around, plus a snub fighter. Or I can kick you out and carry two snub fighters."

The big saurian raised a scaly eyebrow at his companion, "You really think our merry band of privateers will be able to pirate anything with a light freighter, a pair of snub fighters, and a blastboat? Clearly you haven't thought this through."

"It's not like our targets will be guarded by Star Destroyers. We can handle an escort frigate."

"An escort frigate, sure. An escort frigate and a claw full of Ties, maybe. An escort frigate and a couple squadrons of Ties, we're in trouble."

Alika sighed and looked down at her drink. Harm was right, but she didn't want to admit it. A tingle on the back of her neck prompted her to look up, and her gaze was drawn to a group of strapping young men that had just entered the bar, one of whom was looking directly at her. It made a shiver run down her spine. "Heads up, trouble..." They were off duty Imperial Stormtroopers...and they were looking for a fight.

Tavlia sighed. It had now been four months since she had been separated from her master and still she had nothing to report to him. For the first time in her life, she started to question whether Boodra gave her a false mission just to stop her from trying to return. After all, Tavlia knew that Analia was jealous of her and the affection that Boodra lavished upon her.

Shaking her head of the thought, Tavlia concluded, "No, Master takes care of you and he would not allow you to spoil out in the wilds. He wants you back. This is very important to him and his position. You must support him, Tavlia. Believe in him and he will reward you. He has never failed you. One day you will have a family of your choosing. We just need to be rid of these meddlesome rebels."

Her lekku shifted slightly from side to side as she approached the bar, finally deciding on a seat near Harm. Idly, she fingered her rings and fiddled with her necklaces, debating where she should look for leads next. Her eyes delighted when she heard talk of the Alliance bargaining with this merchant, pirate, or whatever he was. "Finally, a lead!" she excitedly thought to herself. She quickly hid the delight and decided that she needed to take a more concerned appearance.

"Better," she thought, as she put on a frightened expression and started looking around the bar in a worried fashion, as if she was being chased by someone or something. Whenever she could make eye contact or near eye contact with Harm, she did so in a nearly pleading fashion but would quickly look away. "That should attract his attention. After all, I'm a damsel in distress," she told herself.

Rixar looked up as whispered hushes rolled through the bar. He spotted the off duty Imperial Stormtroopers and thanks to his Kinetic communication training, he knew they were here with a purpose, to cause mischief.

"Just when I'm about to leave," he muttered to himself.

He double checked his weapons and moved to the edge of the booth. It was only a matter of time before the young man that seemed to lead this gang would decide what to do. And if Rixar was still around, odds are is he'd get involved either by starting the situation or escalating it. He just didn't like bullies.

Harm angled his head slightly, taking in the newcomers. "I hate it when your right. I wonder if they're here for her..."

"Her?"Alika glanced at her partner, "Her who?"

"That Twi'lek over there," Harm indicated the girl with a slight toss of his head. "She's been all fidgety and nervous since you came in. Like she's afraid of something, or someone. "

"Maybe she's a runaway? Slave trading is a big industry here..." Alika trailed off as the troopers broke into groups of two and started to spread out across the room. "Don't look now..." she muttered as the leader and his wing walked straight up to their table. Smiling shyly, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and picked up her drink as the two men saddled up the table.

"Well looky here, Pheric, it must be a costume party, cause this pretty lil thing's all dressed up like a big scary Mando," the groups leader said, prodding Pheric in the ribs. "I don't know, boss, that armor looks awfully authentic..." Pheric replied. "Naw what did I tell you about using them big fancy words around me, Pheric? You just keep your trap shut while I talk to this beautiful dame," Boss grunted, before turning back to Alika. "Now where were we, lil missy? Oh ya, we were gonna go over to the bar for a drink..."

Meanwhile, another group of troopers made their way over to Tavlia's booth. "Check this one out, Simmons. Ain't she a looker? I bet she'll fetch a small fortune at the Exchange...after we've had some fun with her..."

"Check this one out, Simmons. Ain't she a looker? I bet she'll fetch a small fortune at the Exchange...after we've had some fun with her..."

Finn looked up from the screen embedded in his table. A lady was being harassed. This was not a thing that a Varden would sit aside and ignore. He checked his toolbelt - he hadn't come armed per se, but he definitely had a number of engineering tools that were capable of causing moderate to serious injury if used *ahem* on materials outside of their design specs... He loosened a couple of clips for ease of access, just in case.

Rising to his feet, he moved to the booth directly behind the lady - kneeling on the seat to look over the partition.

Rixar observed everything going on. He didn't like that the group had split into two, or that they were apparently looking for people to press into slavery.

"Check this one out, Simmons. Ain't she a looker? I bet she'll fetch a small fortune at the Exchange...after we've had some fun with her..."

His blood began to boil a little as he heard that. Quietly as he could, he removed the loaded shell from his shotgun and replaced it into the magazine. He was hoping that the first rack of the slide, and the following crack, could prevent further confrontation if it was needed.

He'd really hate to fire the shotgun in the bar with as many patrons in here as there currently were. But it needed, the shotgun would also work as a impromptu melee weapon. The pistol on his side would only serve it's intended purpose and nothing more in a confrontation.

"Excuse me, ma'am" he called over. "Is this man bothering you?"

Rixar looked at the man.

*At least one other person has dignity today.* He thought to himself.

It could also turn this confrontation more in his favor. Maybe, just maybe, they could get the troopers to leave before they turned antsy and used the weapons they all carried. As quietly as he could, he stood and moved towards the exit. Only stopping just short and putting himself slightly off to the side. It was his hopes to remain in a favorable, and unnoticed, position until this either blew over or let loose.

Luke Helios made his way silently towards the bar in a city somewhere on Nar Shaada. According to Captain Dresden the leaders of the privateers were here. Still, Luke didn't trust any of it. In a bar in Nar Shaadaa? If the Alliance had to go all the way here to find its agents.... Were they to be trusted? A movement in the left corner of his vision made him disappear in the shadows. A moment later a group of civillians walked by. Off duty storm troopers, by the looks of them. What were they doing here? It smelled like a trap.

It wasn't like them to send ground pounders in alone, let alone to one of the nastiest places in the Galaxy. If there were arm pits of places, that fracking bar would be in the deepest darkest part of a Rangor's arm pit before its yearly cleansing. Private Kaj Wendo, newly busted down and ready for a fight felt nearly naked out of her armour, but still itching. She walked as though everything was a threat, and thought she recognized the same gait up ahead. It could have been her imagination, or it could be her contact. It was hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys in a hole like this. Except for them. She watched the group go by, giving off the same vibe. Placing her hand on her hip, she moved to follow. But it didn't look like she was the only one. While most were skirting the place, only those without a sense of survival, or those on a Mission, would head in. Trying to figure out which one she was, she walked forward.

He watched as they passed. It seemed like an eternity. They were going into the direction of the bar. Luke liked this less and less. Every sense he had screamed at him that something was wrong, that he wasn't supposed to be here. Did Captain Dresden lie to him? The Empire's propaganda machine certainly would have like him to think so. Liars and terrorists, if the Imperial holo vids were to be believed. But who believed those? The Alliance had saved him, he had helped them take down a Star Destroyer and he had been commended. But still, what if they still didn't trust him? What if he was being used? Maybe he was just an expendable tool in the Alliance's eyes. But then Luke spotted her. She walked slowly, almost sneakily, towards where the stormtroopers had gone. Luke knew her face, but he couldn't remember where he knew her from. And, more importantly, was she friend or foe?

It was like a second sense, a tingling in the base of her skull and she rested her hand more fully on her weapon. The threat she thought was ahead of her, setting her jaw and focused ahead of her, when she felt there was something else outside the bar. Watched. No one knew her here... Or so she thought. She turned on her heel, military style and whispered in Basic, "You need something?"

Luke had his weapon trained on her as he came out of the shadows. As her words reached his ears he knew. Correlia. He had seen her on Corellia. Heck, she was Correlian just as he was. "You'd better keep your hands far away from that weapon, Kaj, we wouldn't want to spoil this romantic night, now, do we?" he said in Corellian.

It was a surprise seeing him there. Corellia had been a lifetime ago, and she gave him a lopsided grin, leaving her hand on her weapon, using her head to indicate the one pointed at her. "You'd best put that thing away, Luke, or romance will be the last thing on your mind." She responded in Corellian, and tried not to show her relief at seeing at least a formerly friendly face. "What are you doing here?"

Memories flooded back to him. They were pursuing a suspect, hunkered down in one of the many dark allies of Coronet. He was with the Imperial Navy, she was of the Correlian Planetary Defense Force. The suspect was an Alliance spy. They had spend days working together, tightening the net around the suspect, until that one fateful night, a dark night not unlike now, in an alley eerily similar to the one they were standing now... "I'm looking for someone", Luke replied, seeing if she remembered. "You?"

"Seems you found someone," Wendo responded, the briefest of smiles crossing her lips. "In there," she looked at the Bar meaningfully and looked back, brown eyes in shadows, her face unreadable. "I think we might be needed in there." It had been a long time, so much had happened since then. It felt like old times, working together again. "I've been sent as support." Her orders were so convoluted, and laced in confidentiality and classified mumbo jumbo that she was lucky to have understood where she was being sent. She closed her eyes as the realization dawned on her. "For you?"

Luke's eyes narrowed slightly for an instant, then it was gone. She doesn't know I've switched sides. What was the mission the Empire had sent her to do here on Nar Shadaa? Possible explanations came to his mind, then left again. But then his heart shattered into a million shards as he realised what this meant. "I was told I'd have back-up, just didn't know in what form or shape, I guess now I do..." He lied. Outwardly he kept his cool, but mentally his mind was racing, looking for ways how to prevent the disaster that lay ahead of them...

Wendo's eyes were wary, and she looked him full in the face, drawing her weapon. "It's been a long time, but not that long," she hissed at him. "I'm with the Alliance, and from last I recall, you were," she used her head to indicate the Imps that entered the Bar, "with them." As was I, she said to herself and bit the inside of her lip. He was in the way of her contact, and this was no time for nostalgia or sentimentality. Her contact might be in trouble right there in the Bar...

Luke's mind was racing. Allegiances shifting, questions forming, confusion settling in. When she drew her weapon he had almost shot her right then and there. But he didn't. Foolish, that would've have cost him his life with any other person. But then she said the thing he had never dared dream. She was with the Alliance? Confusion, relief, curiosity and determination all ran through his thoughts at the same time. There might still be a way out of this, but would she believe him? Or was she lying to him? He decided to risk telling the truth, Kaj deserved that at least. "I worked for them, but my heart never was with them. I was drafted, forced, or they would execute my family." He paused, let it sink in. "I ran away... My heart's with the Alliance, just as yours is..." his voice almost a whisper.

She almost spat on the ground in disgust. She hadn't been with the Imperials directly, only helped them for the good of Corellia. They had taken their home for the resources, and without a fight. It had never sat well with her, and she kept her tongue, glad of serving her planet. Until the Imperials called it friendly fire after they destroyed her homestead. If she could have killed them before leaving, she would have. The hint of sorrow passed across her face, and she nodded. Then she said something so softly hoping for the counter sign. "Funny place for a Bar." She cocked her head sideways, watching him closely. It would have hurt her to have to pull the trigger. Especially since he would have to do the same.

From the bar resonated the first sounds of a brawl. "Sounds like trouble up in The Shaft...", he replied. Slowly, he started lowering his gun. Very. Slowly.

Kaj sighed, relaxing, and her weapon disappeared in its holster on her belt. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder and smiled. If he was going to kill her, let him. She had heard enough, and he had mentioned The Shaft. It looked like she had indeed found that someone. "Let's not keep them waiting, shall we?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye. "It sounds like they might need some help."

Luke holstered his weapon, but was still on alert. Trust was hard to find in this galaxy, let alone on Nar Shadaa. Luke noticed her finger without a ring. He let it go. Now was not the time or the place. The tap on his shoulder felt a bit awkward, for some reason. He saw the twinkle in her eye. It made him feel funny. The sounds of battle from the Bar increased, and Luke was grateful for the distraction. "Yes, let's go help them." Just as they started off, he held her by the shoulder. "Hey," he said, "glad to see you." Then they moved towards The Shaft.

Rixar observed everything going on. He didn't like that the group had split into two, or that they were apparently looking for people to press into slavery.

"Check this one out, Simmons. Ain't she a looker? I bet she'll fetch a small fortune at the Exchange...after we've had some fun with her..."

His blood began to boil a little as he heard that. Quietly as he could, he removed the loaded shell from his shotgun and replaced it into the magazine. He was hoping that the first rack of the slide, and the following crack, could prevent further confrontation if it was needed.

He'd really hate to fire the shotgun in the bar with as many patrons in here as there currently were. But it needed, the shotgun would also work as a impromptu melee weapon. The pistol on his side would only serve it's intended purpose and nothing more in a confrontation.

"Excuse me, ma'am" he called over. "Is this man bothering you?"

Rixar looked at the man.

*At least one other person has dignity today.* He thought to himself.

It could also turn this confrontation more in his favor. Maybe, just maybe, they could get the troopers to leave before they turned antsy and used the weapons they all carried. As quietly as he could, he stood and moved towards the exit. Only stopping just short and putting himself slightly off to the side. It was his hopes to remain in a favorable, and unnoticed, position until this either blew over or let loose.

Tavlia weighed her options. There was an Alliance contact in Harm. There were Imperials that would ruin everything for her information gathering and then there was the man that was trying to help her. She considered the options quickly and decided that perhaps there was a middle ground. Perhaps she and this new man who obviously did not care for the Imperials could join up with the others. Then, she could hand over a bunch of rebel spies over to her master so he could gain more favor within the Empire. Maybe then she would be rewarded!

Tavlia gave a warm smile at Finn and sidled up to him. "Nobody's bothering me now that you're here," she told Finn smoothly, yet seductively. She looked back over at the Imperials and told them, "I do appreciate you helping me find him. You know how we Twi'lek girls can be in getting lost. A true hazard of our culture...."

She moved her lips towards Finn's cheek, as if she was going to give him a kiss and whispered hurriedly, "Better be careful. Two in front and not entirely sure what the one with the shotgun is doing but I am betting he is on our side." She then softly gave Finn the kiss on his cheek to emphasize the point to the Imperials that she was with Finn.

While kissing Finn, she tried to keep her eyes on Harm to determine what he would do. "I must get this person and myself with this Harm," she thought determinedly. Her mind continued to whirl, "My dreams lie in that direction. Once all these rebels are with Boodra, I will be free!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by Luke and Haj coming into the Shaft. Tav prayed to herself, "Please let them not be Imperial assistance."

Tavlia gave a warm smile at Finn and sidled up to him. "Nobody's bothering me now that you're here," she told Finn smoothly, yet seductively. She looked back over at the Imperials and told them, "I do appreciate you helping me find him. You know how we Twi'lek girls can be in getting lost. A true hazard of our culture...."

She moved her lips towards Finn's cheek, as if she was going to give him a kiss and whispered hurriedly, "Better be careful. Two in front and not entirely sure what the one with the shotgun is doing but I am betting he is on our side." She then softly gave Finn the kiss on his cheek to emphasize the point to the Imperials that she was with Finn.

While kissing Finn, she tried to keep her eyes on Harm to determine what he would do. "I must get this person and myself with this Harm," she thought determinedly. Her mind continued to whirl, "My dreams lie in that direction. Once all these rebels are with Boodra, I will be free!"

Her thoughts were interrupted by Luke and Haj coming into the Shaft. Tav prayed to herself, "Please let them not be Imperial assistance."

The imperial trooper was growing impatient. "Wouldn't you rather ditch that guy and come hang out with a real man?"

TAG: Tav (or anyone else)

The three other troopers fell into laughter at the rebuttal while the single trooper grew red in the face. The one named Simmons spoke first. "Look out Richards, she's got a mouth on her." Richards only grew a deeper shade of red at this. "Look here," Richards said raising his hand.

Rixar saw all he needed. Gliding across the span of ten feet was easy, bringing his shotgun up to the back of the trooper was easier. With a definite crack, he chambered the first round. Richards froze. The other three troopers went from jovial to professional soldier. The man next to Richards turned every so slightly to look at Rixar. "Stay where you are and no sudden movements," Rixar said to the man.

Across the bar, Simmons was looking peeved. "And what has you all worked up?" He asked. "Don't know know it's impolite to aim a weapon at Troopers?"

Rixar could see Simmons and his partner pull blasters out of hip holsters and repositioned himself slightly so Richards was in the way.

"Nobody's bothering me now that you're here," to Finn's relief, the woman had followed his cue. "I do appreciate you helping me find him. You know how we Twi'lek girls can be in getting lost. A true hazard of our culture...."

As he got up and moved to her side of the partition, she moved her lips towards Finn's cheek, as if she was going to give him a kiss and whispered hurriedly, "Better be careful. Two in front and not entirely sure what the one with the shotgun is doing but I am betting he is on our side." She then softly gave Finn the kiss on his cheek to emphasize the point to the Imperials that she was with Finn.

As she pulled away, Finn nodded – a light movement intended only for her. His eyes darted around the room. They were beginning to attract attention, but he wasn't as well attuned to body language as she likely was and didn't fancy betting on who was likely to join in and on what side. What he was, however, was an engineer, so instead he was considering what fixtures were detachable and what damage they were capable of...

The imperial trooper was growing impatient. "Wouldn't you rather ditch that guy and come hang out with a real man?"

Finn risked snaking an arm around the woman's waist. “The lady made her choice. And would expect a real man to respect that...”

tag - Tav

And then the guns came out.

Finn removed his arm and took a step in front of Tavlia. For all he knew, she might well be a more accomplished fighter than he, but instinct and chivalry were what they were.

"Nobody's bothering me now that you're here," to Finn's relief, the woman had followed his cue. "I do appreciate you helping me find him. You know how we Twi'lek girls can be in getting lost. A true hazard of our culture...."

As he got up and moved to her side of the partition, she moved her lips towards Finn's cheek, as if she was going to give him a kiss and whispered hurriedly, "Better be careful. Two in front and not entirely sure what the one with the shotgun is doing but I am betting he is on our side." She then softly gave Finn the kiss on his cheek to emphasize the point to the Imperials that she was with Finn.

As she pulled away, Finn nodded – a light movement intended only for her. His eyes darted around the room. They were beginning to attract attention, but he wasn't as well attuned to body language as she likely was and didn't fancy betting on who was likely to join in and on what side. What he was, however, was an engineer, so instead he was considering what fixtures were detachable and what damage they were capable of...

The imperial trooper was growing impatient. "Wouldn't you rather ditch that guy and come hang out with a real man?"

Finn risked snaking an arm around the woman's waist. “The lady made her choice. And would expect a real man to respect that...”

Tavlia gave Finn another warm smile, "Thank you. It is not like he could afford the likes of me anyways, even if I were so inclined...."

And then the guns came out.

Finn removed his arm and took a step in front of Tavlia. For all he knew, she might well be a more accomplished fighter than he, but instinct and chivalry were what they were.

Kaj Wendo had ended up somewhere she had never expected to be; in a perfect position to observe, plan and then act. She glanced at Helios, attention now split between the goings on, and her initial contact (or so she hoped). Somehow, chivalry, despite all appearances and many rumours, was not dead, and Twi'leks came in many colours, different varieties and might collect humans like baubles. But granted, the pair she saw looked quite cosy. Was it an interruption of a lover's spat, or the regular Imperial asshole gathering? If they'd entered The Shaft any earlier, they might be in the thick of it, and any later they might have missed the party.

Timing was perfect and she stood, watching, and waiting for just the right moment. Besides, she wanted to see how many Imperials were left before she let loose with some of her own particular brand of cold-hearted vengeance.

And then the guns came out.

Her jaw set, brown eyes flashing, hand resting easily on her holster. She wasn't sure about these parts, but where she came from, shooting first could be considered a bold move, or a stupid gamble. But when life was in the balance, it was important to know which side you were on. And any other side but the Imperials seemed to be a great place to start. The enemy of my enemy... bedfellows and all that.

She gave a sidelong glance at Luke and then slid forward slowly, keeping the focus where it ought to be.

The last four troopers, who until now had been mulling around near the entrance, drew their blasters and aimed at Rixar in unison. "This ain't your fight, spacer. Back off now and we'll forget this ever happened..." one of them said, taking a step toward him.

(Tag Rix, Luke, Kaj)

Across the room, Alika was turning down Boss's offer to buy her a drink. "Thanks, but I've already got one," she replied, lifting her mug slightly. "Wrong answer, sweetheart," Boss growled as he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to her feet, causing her to drop her ale in the process.

"That was a mistake," Harm observed, not looking up from his datapad.

"Who asked you, lizard?" Boss snapped, turning to look at the saurian. "That was also a mistake," Harm replied, still not looking up from his work. A moment later, Alkia brought her helmet down on the crown of Boss's head with a resounding crack. He dropped to the deck like a bag of wet duracrete. "Hands off, chakaar," she spat, before turning towards Pheric. "What're you looking at, di'kutla?" Pheric was already backing away, "Ah, no...no...nothing..."

Alika turned her attention to mopping the ale off her armor when Pheric drew his blaster and fired...

The last four troopers, who until now had been mulling around near the entrance, drew their blasters and aimed at Rixar in unison. "This ain't your fight, spacer. Back off now and we'll forget this ever happened..." one of them said, taking a step toward him.

Rixar froze, he'd made a grave mistake not checking for backup outside the door. He'd seen the way these guys walked in and they walked like they'd owned the place. It wasn't often that his Kinetic Communication would slip like that. He turned to the four behind him, now stuck in between the four at the door, the two he was holding up, and the two across the bar. Slowly he lowered his weapon. One of the two troopers near him turned towards him. "So you like sneaking up on people huh?" The other turned back to the guests in front of him.

(Tag Luke, Kaj)

Across the room, Alika was turning down Boss's offer to buy her a drink. "Thanks, but I've already got one," she replied, lifting her mug slightly. "Wrong answer, sweetheart," Boss growled as he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to her feet, causing her to drop her ale in the process.

"That was a mistake," Harm observed, not looking up from his datapad.

"Who asked you, lizard?" Boss snapped, turning to look at the saurian. "That was also a mistake," Harm replied, still not looking up from his work. A moment later, Alkia brought her helmet down on the crown of Boss's head with a resounding crack. He dropped to the deck like a bag of wet duracrete. "Hands off, chakaar," she spat, before turning towards Pheric. "What're you looking at, di'kutla?" Pheric was already backing away, "Ah, no...no...nothing..."

Alika turned her attention to mopping the ale off her armor when Pheric drew his blaster and fired...

Rixar heard the blaster charge up and from where he was, assumed it was one of the two across the bar. The two troopers in front of him had turned just far enough so he could see between them. One of them was down on the ground, he hoped it was Simmons. At that moment, Richard's back was to him but he didn't want to jump the gun and have the four people behind him end his life to soon.

At the sound of the first blaster bolt, Finn ducked down, pulling Tavlia with him.

Tag – Tav

“Door's that way - cover's variable,” he muttered, indicating the exit with a nod of his head while pulling a roll of duct tape from his belt. “The smaller tables might absorb a bolt or two if you want to carry one with you as a shield.” He tore off a strip. “That mirror over there might be fun if you can get it off the wall – always wondered what a mirror would do to a blaster bolt. Might melt, but still – fun...”

He ducked under the table, toward the the nearby troopers, firing a cheeky grin at the Twi'lek over his shoulder.

“So's this...”

He wrapped the tape around the two troopers' legs, taping them to one another – the armour would hopefully prevent them from noticing the touch until he was out of the way and with the two troopers stuck together, well it would certainly slow them down, hopefully trip them, maybe even distract them enough for someone else to deal with them...

He scurried under the next table, hoping the woman would make her way to safety while he assessed his next move.

At the sound of the first blaster bolt, Finn ducked down, pulling Tavlia with him.

Tavlia was not thrilled at being pulled down in such a rough fashion but after a moment's thought, realized that Finn had likely saved her life. Combat was not something that she was accustomed to being near. She decided to express her gratitude. "Thanks. Though, next time, a little less rough, please."

“Door's that way - cover's variable,” he muttered, indicating the exit with a nod of his head while pulling a roll of duct tape from his belt. “The smaller tables might absorb a bolt or two if you want to carry one with you as a shield.” He tore off a strip. “That mirror over there might be fun if you can get it off the wall – always wondered what a mirror would do to a blaster bolt. Might melt, but still – fun...”

He ducked under the table, toward the the nearby troopers, firing a cheeky grin at the Twi'lek over his shoulder.

“So's this...”

He wrapped the tape around the two troopers' legs, taping them to one another – the armour would hopefully prevent them from noticing the touch until he was out of the way and with the two troopers stuck together, well it would certainly slow them down, hopefully trip them, maybe even distract them enough for someone else to deal with them...

He scurried under the next table, hoping the woman would make her way to safety while he assessed his next move.

Tavlia was shocked that Finn just left her alone in a most un-chivalrous manner. She was not about to let him get away. After all, he kept her safe and Tavlia was not about to stay near the troopers. After all, they could either shoot her, grab her, or worse, use her for cover and she was not about to have any of those things happen to her. Besides, without a weapon, she was completely exposed. Making a break for it as Finn suggested, was a suicide mission and would not further any of Boodra's desires.

Making her decision, Tavlia laid low, crawled and slithered over to Finn while taking the most cover that she could to avoid being hit. She then crawled next to Finn and told him, "I can't show you my gratitude if you crawl away from me. Besides, I am defenseless. I am safest with you."

Rixar ducked as blaster bolts flew across the bar. It seemed the troopers were aiming at someone, or something, across the bar. A quick glance showed that patrons where either ducking, running, or grabbing their own weapons.

Rixar didn't like the clusterfuck he'd gotten himself into but it wasn't the first time this had happened. Taking a look around, he watched as the man taped the two troopers together.

"Cleaver idea," He thought to himself as smiled. "That will be interesting to see how it plays out."

Then he watched as the man and woman crawled to the next table. Something he should start thinking about as he was near the middle of the bar. Deciding that these two where probably not going to shoot him, he scooted over.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked. "You're better company than they are."

At the sound of the first blaster bolt, Finn ducked down, pulling Tavlia with him.

Tavlia was not thrilled at being pulled down in such a rough fashion but after a moment's thought, realized that Finn had likely saved her life. Combat was not something that she was accustomed to being near. She decided to express her gratitude. "Thanks. Though, next time, a little less rough, please."

“Door's that way - cover's variable,” he muttered, indicating the exit with a nod of his head while pulling a roll of duct tape from his belt. “The smaller tables might absorb a bolt or two if you want to carry one with you as a shield.” He tore off a strip. “That mirror over there might be fun if you can get it off the wall – always wondered what a mirror would do to a blaster bolt. Might melt, but still – fun...”

He ducked under the table, toward the the nearby troopers, firing a cheeky grin at the Twi'lek over his shoulder.

“So's this...”

He wrapped the tape around the two troopers' legs, taping them to one another – the armour would hopefully prevent them from noticing the touch until he was out of the way and with the two troopers stuck together, well it would certainly slow them down, hopefully trip them, maybe even distract them enough for someone else to deal with them...

He scurried under the next table, hoping the woman would make her way to safety while he assessed his next move.

Tavlia was shocked that Finn just left her alone in a most un-chivalrous manner. She was not about to let him get away. After all, he kept her safe and Tavlia was not about to stay near the troopers. After all, they could either shoot her, grab her, or worse, use her for cover and she was not about to have any of those things happen to her. Besides, without a weapon, she was completely exposed. Making a break for it as Finn suggested, was a suicide mission and would not further any of Boodra's desires.

Making her decision, Tavlia laid low, crawled and slithered over to Finn while taking the most cover that she could to avoid being hit. She then crawled next to Finn and told him, "I can't show you my gratitude if you crawl away from me. Besides, I am defenseless. I am safest with you."

tag - Finn, troopers, whomever

Tavlia then watched as she was joined by the man with the shotgun. She wondered why he was here and not blasting the troopers. She had hoped that one of the troopers, if they tripped would have their blaster fall to her. As she stated before, she was defenseless. On the other hand, she thought smiling, more targets made it less likely she would get hit by a bolt. "Nice of you to say but crouching is not my favorite position," she told him with slight innuendo.

Luke and Kaj had taken up positions at the entrance of the door and were in an excellent position to observe everything that happened. Luke watched as events unfolded and finally started to climax as the guns came out. Luke counted eight Troopers. 4 of them directly in front of them by the door, two of them in the middle of the bar and two others at the far end. The man with the shotgun joined to man and Twi'lek woman behind the tables while a woman at the bar cracked one of the trooper's skull. And then there also was a Saurian who was reading, apparantly undisturbed by the abundance of blaster fire and cracked skulls around him. Very odd. Adding Kaj to the mix, Luke counted 6 people on their side, (Luke was unsure about the Saurian), against 8 (now 7, the one with the cracked skull taken out of the equation) troopers. Could've been worse odds.

With Kaj and Luke standing at the entrance this gave them a distinct tactical advantage. Luke quickly glanced behind him into the alley to see if anyone decided to sneak up behind them. It was empty. Good.

Kaj gave a sidelong glance at Luke and then slid forward slowly, keeping the focus where it ought to be.

Luke nodded and indicated he would have her back. The four troopers closest to them would have to be dealt with first... Weapons drawn and ready, Kaj and Luke joined the fight.

Luke nodded and indicated he would have her back. The four troopers closest to them would have to be dealt with first... Weapons drawn and ready, Kaj and Luke joined the fight.

Well, now was as good a time as any to test that claim of Luke's that he was no longer an Imperial. He was behind her, and if Kaj had made a tactical error in trusting him, she would find herself joining the Imperial on the floor. With the slightest nod, she moved forward, blaster clearly set on stun. This wasn't the time for misplaced heroics or to stir up enough trouble to find herself hunted before this mission had barely begun. Placing her weapon at the base of the first man's skull, she fired, a soft pulse rippling through his body as he crumpled.

She tried to catch him so that their element of surprise would still be intact; so they could try and get rid of at least one more before they'd square off against the rest. The guy was heavy, but she held him up under his arms, slumped and dead weight. She carefully bent her knees and finally let him slide out of her arms, crouched on the ground. From the lower vantage point, she could see clumps of people, some armed, some not so much and she shrugged. This would work, and curled her arms slowly around the next trooper, pressing her blaster at the ready against his leg. 'Damn.' It made a small 'tunk' sound and she looked up, smiling, as he looked down. Her finger slowly pressing the trigger.

Well, that was two, kind of, but this one would hit the floor a bit more noisily. She shrugged and smiled apologetically at Luke, raising her blaster to help where she could.

Making her decision, Tavlia laid low, crawled and slithered over to Finn while taking the most cover that she could to avoid being hit. She then crawled next to Finn and told him, "I can't show you my gratitude if you crawl away from me. Besides, I am defenseless. I am safest with you."

"Mind if I join you?" Rixar asked. "You're better company than they are."

"Nice of you to say but crouching is not my favorite position," Tavlia told him with slight innuendo.

Finn made a mental note – what with that reply and her lack of complaint to his hand around her waist earlier, she was either a streetwalker or a grifter. At the moment, his money was on the latter...

He crept round behind the two whose legs he had taped together then, bobbing up, tapped one on the shoulder.

“Tag – you're it!”

As the man turned, two things happened. Firstly, Finn dived over the next table, but secondly and more importantly, the second guy had opted to turn the other way. The tape tautened between the two troopers' legs and both fell flat on their faces, guns skittering away as they abandoned them in favour of using their hands to cushion their landing.